Draconis 5
Title: Draconis chapter 5
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jared's a prince who always does what's expected of him, even as he dreams of following his heart. When his father signs an allegiance with a dragon clan and he meets Jensen, everything changes.
Disclaimer: Neither of these beautiful men are mine. I just play with them sometimes.
Previous Chapters: One, Two, Three, Four
(Awesome header made for me by the talented Inanna-Maat)
Jared awoke to the balcony doors open and Jensen outside. He got up and slipped on his pants, reaching the door just in time to see Jensen drop something over the side.
“What was that?”
“Nothing important.” Jensen smiled at him as Jared reached his side. He was dressed in his pants from the night before too. “Rest alright?”
Jared nodded. “Although I don’t know how I’m going to sleep without you now. You’re like a life-size teddy bear.”
“A life-size who?”
“Teddy bear. You know, a stuffed toy that kids sleep with for comfort?”
Jensen looked at him blankly, and Jared shook his head. Obviously baby dragons didn’t need that kind of thing. “Uh, never mind.”
“Okay.” He slid his arm around Jared’s waist, pulling him closer to nuzzle his neck. “If you were a dragon, I’d ask you to be my mate. I might have had to compete for you, though. You’re a beautiful human, so you’d be an even more alluring dragon.”
“If I was a dragon, I’d accept.” Jared traced his fingers over Jensen’s scar, an act that he seemed to be making into a habit. “But I’m not, Jensen. I’m a human and I’m betrothed to Penn.”
“You don’t care for him. I can see it every time you even mention his name.”
“What I feel for him doesn’t matter. His parents and mine set up our impending marriage and I can’t deny them.”
Jensen pulled back to look at him, his hands resting on Jared’s hips. “Ever since I met you Jared, you’ve been doing things that you think others want. Your lessons, your betrothal, my freedom. Don’t you ever do anything for yourself?”
“Yes. Last night.” Jared pulled away. “Besides, what the hell do you know? There’s nothing wrong with trying to make those I care about happy.”
“So you care about me then?”
“Of course I do! You think I’d just let anyone take my virginity? If that were true, I would have lost it long before I met you.”
Jensen shook his head, looking at Jared with something akin to sympathy. “You wear your heart on your sleeve. And when you do that, you’re bound to get hurt. I don’t want to see that happen, but I don’t know how to stop it. This is something I can’t protect you from.”
“Are you saying you’re going to hurt me?” Jared asked warily.
“Maybe. There’s a war upon us, Jared. Lives will be destroyed both emotionally and physically. Not even you’re safe from it.”
“War? I don’t understand. You mean the dragons are going to attack again?”
“It’s not only my kind you have to worry about.”
“Highness?” Genevieve called from inside the room, and Jared went inside to see her at the bedroom door. “The King requests your presence.”
<>***<>***<>***<>
“What?!” Jared stared at Gerald in shock, similar looks of surprise on his siblings’ and Sandy’s faces. “But Father!”
“It’s time, Jared,” Gerald said calmly.
“But you’re still young! There’s no need for you to pass the crown along,” Megan insisted.
It wasn’t that Jeff being king would be a bad thing, except for the fact that he hated the dragons, but it was rare that the current ruler would make such a drastic decision so early.
The King smiled tiredly at his children. “I’m not as young as you believe me to be, sweetheart. This sickness has just brought down reality upon me.”
“But Jensen helped you,” Jared insisted. “I was there. You’re not as ill as you were!”
“True, and I’m grateful to him. But even though the sickness is gone my body continues to ache. With the situation that threatens us there is no conceivable way that I will be able to be fully ready for it. Our kingdom deserves a leader with quick reflexes and thinking, in case that this war does happen and that person is Jeff.”
“What war?” Jeff narrowed his eyes. “Something’s going on with the dragons, isn’t it? I knew those creatures could not be trusted!” He turned to his brother. “You know something, don’t you Jared?”
Jared hesitated.
“Tell us!”
“It’s just that Jensen was saying how some of the dragons don’t like this treaty. It’s why he was attacked. They still harbor hatred from being hunted, from which I can’t say that I blame them. But really, a war! Father if that’s true we need you!”
“I’ll be here,” Gerald said. “But you’ll need Jeff a lot more. My decision is final.”
“You created that treaty with Jeffrey Dean, knowing it was just temporary didn’t you!” Jared accused, suddenly feeling foreign anger towards his father. “You lured them into a false sense of security!”
“Jared!” Sharon gasped, shocked that he was acting that way. “You stop that right now!”
Gerald placed his hand on Sharon’s shoulder, his eyes staying locked with his youngest son’s. “I know how it must look, Jared. But I promise you that I want the treaty to last many years. But as you said, some of the dragons are unhappy with it. They have lost their lives to our people in the past, and for that I am truly sorry but they have the advantage should there be a battle. They have the air, and the elements on their side. My intention was never to upset them to the point of violence, and neither was Jeffery Dean’s. But from the attack on Jensen’s life I see that it may be inevitable.”
Desperate, Jared turned to his brother. “Jeff you must keep that treaty. Please! Don’t destroy the last ounce of trust between us and the dragons!”
Jeff held Jared’s eyes, and after a moment he sighed. “It’s hard to deny you much, Jared. As I have told you before, I’m keeping my eyes on that creature of yours. And I will continue my deal that the treaty will remain, unless any one of them does anything to jeopardize any of us, or our kingdom. Once that happens, I’ll see them slain myself if need be.”
Jared swallowed hard and nodded. It was the best he could hope for, he supposed.
“I’ll personally set up preparations for the ceremony,” Penn announced. “The whole kingdom will be invited to witness the coronation of our next king.”
“Thank you, Penn,” Gerald said gratefully. “You’re a good man, and Jared is lucky to have you as his future husband.”
Penn smirked triumphantly at Jared, who glared back before looking at Gerald.
“Father, about that--”
“It’ll be such a beautiful wedding,” Sharon mused. She gave him a hopeful smile, and Jared’s words died on his tongue.
He nodded dejectedly. “Yes, Mother. I’m sure it will be.”
Penn’s arm slid around Jared’s shoulders. “Our wedding will be perfect. Did you see the flowers I sent to your room this morning?”
“Flowers?” Jared didn’t remember seeing any, but he did recall Jensen dropping something over the side of the balcony. Realization dawned on him and he smiled. “Oh, yes. They’re in the perfect place.”
<>***<>***<>***<>
“How can he do this?” Jared’s hair was sticking up at odd angles from his hands running through it. “I understand what Father was saying, but to give the crown away so easily!”
Jensen sat on the side of the fountain, watching the prince as he paced back and forth in front of him like a caged animal. “It’s what the King believes to be right.”
“How can you be so calm about this? You know how Jeff feels about your kind! When he takes over, what’s to stop him from tearing that treaty to shreds? He said he wouldn’t without reason but he’s always been quick to anger. Especially when it comes to the dragon topic. You sneeze wrong and he might declare you a paperweight!”
“We are prepared for any and all actions against us.”
Jared froze mid-step and turned to him, feeling apprehension at the dry tone in Jensen’s voice. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Just what it sounds like.” Jensen stood, his expression somber. “We haven’t lived this long being naïve, Jared. My clan and I are fully aware of what the Padalecki family are capable of, and we will deal with what comes accordingly. I strongly suggest that you do the same.”
“Why are you talking like this? Stop being cryptic and tell me what the hell is going on! What do you mean about my family?”
Jensen glanced at the castle, and his eyes narrowed slightly before he turned back to Jared. He reached up, pulling the younger brunet closer by his neck and pressed a hard, possessive kiss against his mouth.
“Everything will become clear,” he murmured against Jared’s lips.
Before Jared could say anything, Jensen moved away and that same bright light was back as he changed forms. The black dragon took to the sky, blocking the sun for a moment with the full expanse of his wings before he disappeared over the trees.
Jared turned towards the castle, stopping short when he saw Penn watching from the balcony. His betrothed’s stance was stiff, the obvious anger almost literally pouring off him in waves. He disappeared inside, and Jared sat down heavily onto the wet grass with a squish.
Shit.
The next few days the castle was bustling with energy. Servants ran to-and-fro, crashing into each other on occasion as the ballroom was set up with decorations for the ceremony.
Jared forced himself to help, although he couldn’t find much enthusiasm in anything. He hadn’t seen Jensen since he’d left him to Penn’s wrath, which had been sinister glares one minute and a lot of touching the next. Jared didn’t know how to feel about that. Or what Jensen had said.
Just what did he mean by the dragons knew what his family was capable of?
“Jared?” Megan ventured, coming up beside him. She had a bunch of freshly made white candles clutched in her arms like they were her favorite childhood stuffed toy. “Is it wrong that I’m not excited about this? I mean, what if what Father said is true?”
He wrapped an arm around her small shoulders. “It’s not wrong, Megan. I’m unsure about it too, but everything might turn out okay. Jeff’s a good guy, and he cares about our kingdom just as much as all of us. He’ll do what’s best.”
“I’m not completely sure about that.” She leaned up on her toes in order to whisper. “Penn has his ear, Jared. He’s going to be Jeff’s official advisor.”
Jared had known that would be true, and yet that didn’t stop the dread from taking up residence inside of him. Penn hated the dragons even more than Jeff did, especially now that he’d seen Jensen’s second kiss. Which Jared knew the stupid bastard had done just to cause Penn’s anger. Sometimes he thought that Jensen wanted everything to go to hell.
“We’ll just… have to be prepared,” he said, using Jensen’s words.
By the time everything was set up in the ballroom and the party was in full swing, Jared was beyond tired of it. Penn had decided that Jared wasn’t to leave his side, perhaps thinking he’d sneak off to kiss Jensen again or something, and kept a firm arm around his waist.
He was the perfect charmer of course, dragging Jared around from person to person and showing him off like a trophy wife as though no one had seen the prince before. The whole thing gave Jared nothing but a headache.
When the time came for Jeff to be officially named the king, a hush fell over the room. All attention was on the eldest Padalecki offspring as he knelt on one knee before Gerald and said the vow to protect the kingdom and the lives of everyone in it, and to be a fair ruler with an open heart. Gerald looked so proud as he placed the crown on his son’s head, his voice cracking a little with emotion as he announced Jeff as the new king. Sharon was dabbing her teary eyes with a handkerchief.
The room burst into applause when Jeff stood and turned to them. Sandy joined his side, her face alight with happiness for her husband and watching them together, Jared felt a pang of loneliness. It was all too reminiscent of that party weeks ago when he’d escaped to the honeysuckle bush and met Jensen.
Everything was so damn simple back then. But Jared had been extremely naïve, too. He’d believed that nothing could touch his family, had accepted that no one could make him really happy, and figured nothing would change. His life was set out for him on a silver platter, and he’d accepted it without question as he’d always done.
Jensen made all of that change. It was both good, and bad. Jared felt like a different person and he wasn’t sure how to deal with it sometimes.
“That’ll be us soon,” Penn murmured in his ear, warm wine-scented breath washing over Jared’s skin. He gestured to Jeff and Sandy. “Once you’re officially mine, that pet of yours won’t be allowed near you.”
“He’s my guardian.”
“We’ll see about that. It’s twice now I’ve seen him kiss you, and both times I’ve let it pass. Once we’re married that won’t happen. No one will touch you, or kiss you, or bed you except for me.”
Jared stiffened, afraid that Penn knew he’d slept with Jensen.
“Oh, so you haven’t noticed how he looks at you?” Penn asked. “Doesn’t surprise me. I can’t blame him, though. Plenty of eyes are attached to you, Jared. You’re such a pretty little thing. Well, not so little. The kind of innocence you radiate, it makes all sorts of men want to bend you over the nearest surface.”
“You’re disgusting,” Jared sneered. Though he was relieved that Penn still thought him a virgin. “Even after we marry there’s no way I’m letting you touch me.”
“You don’t have a choice. Once we take those vows, you’re mine to do with whatever I want. And trust me, love, I’ve got plenty of things in mind. You’re going to be sore and walking funny for weeks.”
Abhorred, Jared pulled away to congratulate his brother. He gave both him and Sandy hugs then slipped passed them and into the crowd, using them as an effective shield as he made his way out of the ballroom.
“I remember a little boy of seven,” a thoughtful voice said behind him, making Jared jump in surprise, “who used to wander the castle at all hours of the night looking for cookies.”
He turned with a sheepish smile. “I’m still very fond of your cookies, Missouri.”
The dark-skinned woman laughed. “Well come on then, child. I figured you’d leave the party, so I made some just for you.”
Jared trailed behind her to the kitchen, the two of them moving to the side counter in order to be out of the way of the other servants who were preparing and carrying out more food.
“Something’s bothering you,” the woman said, watching as Jared merely nibbled on a chocolate chip cookie. Usually he’d be stuffing them in his mouth like he’d never eat again, and spraying the crumbs across the counter like pellets with every word of praise.
“It’s nothing important.”
“Honey, don’t you make me get my spoon. Now out with it.”
Jared subconsciously rubbed the back of his head, remembering all those times when Missouri had given into her threat. He hated that damn wooden piece of weaponry. “It’s just… something that Jensen said.”
“Was he mean to you?” Missouri puffed herself up like a ruffled mother hen ready to defend her chicks.
“No, no. Not at all,” Jared quickly assured her. He didn’t want Missouri chasing Jensen around with that evil spoon, either. “He said something about knowing what my family was capable of. It’s been bothering me for days, because he said it so coldly. But he wouldn’t explain!”
Jared expected Missouri to share his confusion, but to his surprise instead of looking unsure she frowned at him sadly. Jared knew then without a doubt that he was missing something vital. Something that he had a right to know.
“What is it?”
“I don’t think I should be the one telling you this..”
“Missouri, please! Whatever it is, just tell me. I can take it.”
She sighed and sat beside him, her hand resting on his wrist that was lying on the table. Missouri looked into his eyes and took a deep breath. “Jared, do you remember your Granddaddy?”
Jared nodded. His grandfather’s name had been Jonathan Padalecki, and Jared remembered him as being a strong, tall man with black hair and thick whiskers on his face. He had a deep, commanding voice but kind blue eyes.
Jonathan had been the king before Gerald, and even though he had died when Jared was nine stories still passed through the kingdom of how fair and noble a leader he had been. Everyone was welcome to speak to Jonathan for things they needed, and never would he turn them down if he didn’t have to. Even as busy as he was, he’d always had time for his family and would spend hours captivating Jared and his siblings with wonderful stories.
It was because of him that Jared had found a love for reading. He remembered wanting to be just like Jonathan when he grew up. The man had been a hero to him.
“I remember. Why?”
Missouri gave Jared’s wrist a squeeze, the frown still on her face. “There’s something you don’t know, baby. Your granddaddy had been the best. Just like his daddy before him. The whole family was so good at it; had done it for generations and it runs in your blood too. Even your own daddy was a part of it, when he was younger.”
“What do you mean? What were they?”
“Dragon slayers.”
Chapter 6
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jared's a prince who always does what's expected of him, even as he dreams of following his heart. When his father signs an allegiance with a dragon clan and he meets Jensen, everything changes.
Disclaimer: Neither of these beautiful men are mine. I just play with them sometimes.
Previous Chapters: One, Two, Three, Four
(Awesome header made for me by the talented Inanna-Maat)
Jared awoke to the balcony doors open and Jensen outside. He got up and slipped on his pants, reaching the door just in time to see Jensen drop something over the side.
“What was that?”
“Nothing important.” Jensen smiled at him as Jared reached his side. He was dressed in his pants from the night before too. “Rest alright?”
Jared nodded. “Although I don’t know how I’m going to sleep without you now. You’re like a life-size teddy bear.”
“A life-size who?”
“Teddy bear. You know, a stuffed toy that kids sleep with for comfort?”
Jensen looked at him blankly, and Jared shook his head. Obviously baby dragons didn’t need that kind of thing. “Uh, never mind.”
“Okay.” He slid his arm around Jared’s waist, pulling him closer to nuzzle his neck. “If you were a dragon, I’d ask you to be my mate. I might have had to compete for you, though. You’re a beautiful human, so you’d be an even more alluring dragon.”
“If I was a dragon, I’d accept.” Jared traced his fingers over Jensen’s scar, an act that he seemed to be making into a habit. “But I’m not, Jensen. I’m a human and I’m betrothed to Penn.”
“You don’t care for him. I can see it every time you even mention his name.”
“What I feel for him doesn’t matter. His parents and mine set up our impending marriage and I can’t deny them.”
Jensen pulled back to look at him, his hands resting on Jared’s hips. “Ever since I met you Jared, you’ve been doing things that you think others want. Your lessons, your betrothal, my freedom. Don’t you ever do anything for yourself?”
“Yes. Last night.” Jared pulled away. “Besides, what the hell do you know? There’s nothing wrong with trying to make those I care about happy.”
“So you care about me then?”
“Of course I do! You think I’d just let anyone take my virginity? If that were true, I would have lost it long before I met you.”
Jensen shook his head, looking at Jared with something akin to sympathy. “You wear your heart on your sleeve. And when you do that, you’re bound to get hurt. I don’t want to see that happen, but I don’t know how to stop it. This is something I can’t protect you from.”
“Are you saying you’re going to hurt me?” Jared asked warily.
“Maybe. There’s a war upon us, Jared. Lives will be destroyed both emotionally and physically. Not even you’re safe from it.”
“War? I don’t understand. You mean the dragons are going to attack again?”
“It’s not only my kind you have to worry about.”
“Highness?” Genevieve called from inside the room, and Jared went inside to see her at the bedroom door. “The King requests your presence.”
<>***<>***<>***<>
“What?!” Jared stared at Gerald in shock, similar looks of surprise on his siblings’ and Sandy’s faces. “But Father!”
“It’s time, Jared,” Gerald said calmly.
“But you’re still young! There’s no need for you to pass the crown along,” Megan insisted.
It wasn’t that Jeff being king would be a bad thing, except for the fact that he hated the dragons, but it was rare that the current ruler would make such a drastic decision so early.
The King smiled tiredly at his children. “I’m not as young as you believe me to be, sweetheart. This sickness has just brought down reality upon me.”
“But Jensen helped you,” Jared insisted. “I was there. You’re not as ill as you were!”
“True, and I’m grateful to him. But even though the sickness is gone my body continues to ache. With the situation that threatens us there is no conceivable way that I will be able to be fully ready for it. Our kingdom deserves a leader with quick reflexes and thinking, in case that this war does happen and that person is Jeff.”
“What war?” Jeff narrowed his eyes. “Something’s going on with the dragons, isn’t it? I knew those creatures could not be trusted!” He turned to his brother. “You know something, don’t you Jared?”
Jared hesitated.
“Tell us!”
“It’s just that Jensen was saying how some of the dragons don’t like this treaty. It’s why he was attacked. They still harbor hatred from being hunted, from which I can’t say that I blame them. But really, a war! Father if that’s true we need you!”
“I’ll be here,” Gerald said. “But you’ll need Jeff a lot more. My decision is final.”
“You created that treaty with Jeffrey Dean, knowing it was just temporary didn’t you!” Jared accused, suddenly feeling foreign anger towards his father. “You lured them into a false sense of security!”
“Jared!” Sharon gasped, shocked that he was acting that way. “You stop that right now!”
Gerald placed his hand on Sharon’s shoulder, his eyes staying locked with his youngest son’s. “I know how it must look, Jared. But I promise you that I want the treaty to last many years. But as you said, some of the dragons are unhappy with it. They have lost their lives to our people in the past, and for that I am truly sorry but they have the advantage should there be a battle. They have the air, and the elements on their side. My intention was never to upset them to the point of violence, and neither was Jeffery Dean’s. But from the attack on Jensen’s life I see that it may be inevitable.”
Desperate, Jared turned to his brother. “Jeff you must keep that treaty. Please! Don’t destroy the last ounce of trust between us and the dragons!”
Jeff held Jared’s eyes, and after a moment he sighed. “It’s hard to deny you much, Jared. As I have told you before, I’m keeping my eyes on that creature of yours. And I will continue my deal that the treaty will remain, unless any one of them does anything to jeopardize any of us, or our kingdom. Once that happens, I’ll see them slain myself if need be.”
Jared swallowed hard and nodded. It was the best he could hope for, he supposed.
“I’ll personally set up preparations for the ceremony,” Penn announced. “The whole kingdom will be invited to witness the coronation of our next king.”
“Thank you, Penn,” Gerald said gratefully. “You’re a good man, and Jared is lucky to have you as his future husband.”
Penn smirked triumphantly at Jared, who glared back before looking at Gerald.
“Father, about that--”
“It’ll be such a beautiful wedding,” Sharon mused. She gave him a hopeful smile, and Jared’s words died on his tongue.
He nodded dejectedly. “Yes, Mother. I’m sure it will be.”
Penn’s arm slid around Jared’s shoulders. “Our wedding will be perfect. Did you see the flowers I sent to your room this morning?”
“Flowers?” Jared didn’t remember seeing any, but he did recall Jensen dropping something over the side of the balcony. Realization dawned on him and he smiled. “Oh, yes. They’re in the perfect place.”
<>***<>***<>***<>
“How can he do this?” Jared’s hair was sticking up at odd angles from his hands running through it. “I understand what Father was saying, but to give the crown away so easily!”
Jensen sat on the side of the fountain, watching the prince as he paced back and forth in front of him like a caged animal. “It’s what the King believes to be right.”
“How can you be so calm about this? You know how Jeff feels about your kind! When he takes over, what’s to stop him from tearing that treaty to shreds? He said he wouldn’t without reason but he’s always been quick to anger. Especially when it comes to the dragon topic. You sneeze wrong and he might declare you a paperweight!”
“We are prepared for any and all actions against us.”
Jared froze mid-step and turned to him, feeling apprehension at the dry tone in Jensen’s voice. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Just what it sounds like.” Jensen stood, his expression somber. “We haven’t lived this long being naïve, Jared. My clan and I are fully aware of what the Padalecki family are capable of, and we will deal with what comes accordingly. I strongly suggest that you do the same.”
“Why are you talking like this? Stop being cryptic and tell me what the hell is going on! What do you mean about my family?”
Jensen glanced at the castle, and his eyes narrowed slightly before he turned back to Jared. He reached up, pulling the younger brunet closer by his neck and pressed a hard, possessive kiss against his mouth.
“Everything will become clear,” he murmured against Jared’s lips.
Before Jared could say anything, Jensen moved away and that same bright light was back as he changed forms. The black dragon took to the sky, blocking the sun for a moment with the full expanse of his wings before he disappeared over the trees.
Jared turned towards the castle, stopping short when he saw Penn watching from the balcony. His betrothed’s stance was stiff, the obvious anger almost literally pouring off him in waves. He disappeared inside, and Jared sat down heavily onto the wet grass with a squish.
Shit.
The next few days the castle was bustling with energy. Servants ran to-and-fro, crashing into each other on occasion as the ballroom was set up with decorations for the ceremony.
Jared forced himself to help, although he couldn’t find much enthusiasm in anything. He hadn’t seen Jensen since he’d left him to Penn’s wrath, which had been sinister glares one minute and a lot of touching the next. Jared didn’t know how to feel about that. Or what Jensen had said.
Just what did he mean by the dragons knew what his family was capable of?
“Jared?” Megan ventured, coming up beside him. She had a bunch of freshly made white candles clutched in her arms like they were her favorite childhood stuffed toy. “Is it wrong that I’m not excited about this? I mean, what if what Father said is true?”
He wrapped an arm around her small shoulders. “It’s not wrong, Megan. I’m unsure about it too, but everything might turn out okay. Jeff’s a good guy, and he cares about our kingdom just as much as all of us. He’ll do what’s best.”
“I’m not completely sure about that.” She leaned up on her toes in order to whisper. “Penn has his ear, Jared. He’s going to be Jeff’s official advisor.”
Jared had known that would be true, and yet that didn’t stop the dread from taking up residence inside of him. Penn hated the dragons even more than Jeff did, especially now that he’d seen Jensen’s second kiss. Which Jared knew the stupid bastard had done just to cause Penn’s anger. Sometimes he thought that Jensen wanted everything to go to hell.
“We’ll just… have to be prepared,” he said, using Jensen’s words.
By the time everything was set up in the ballroom and the party was in full swing, Jared was beyond tired of it. Penn had decided that Jared wasn’t to leave his side, perhaps thinking he’d sneak off to kiss Jensen again or something, and kept a firm arm around his waist.
He was the perfect charmer of course, dragging Jared around from person to person and showing him off like a trophy wife as though no one had seen the prince before. The whole thing gave Jared nothing but a headache.
When the time came for Jeff to be officially named the king, a hush fell over the room. All attention was on the eldest Padalecki offspring as he knelt on one knee before Gerald and said the vow to protect the kingdom and the lives of everyone in it, and to be a fair ruler with an open heart. Gerald looked so proud as he placed the crown on his son’s head, his voice cracking a little with emotion as he announced Jeff as the new king. Sharon was dabbing her teary eyes with a handkerchief.
The room burst into applause when Jeff stood and turned to them. Sandy joined his side, her face alight with happiness for her husband and watching them together, Jared felt a pang of loneliness. It was all too reminiscent of that party weeks ago when he’d escaped to the honeysuckle bush and met Jensen.
Everything was so damn simple back then. But Jared had been extremely naïve, too. He’d believed that nothing could touch his family, had accepted that no one could make him really happy, and figured nothing would change. His life was set out for him on a silver platter, and he’d accepted it without question as he’d always done.
Jensen made all of that change. It was both good, and bad. Jared felt like a different person and he wasn’t sure how to deal with it sometimes.
“That’ll be us soon,” Penn murmured in his ear, warm wine-scented breath washing over Jared’s skin. He gestured to Jeff and Sandy. “Once you’re officially mine, that pet of yours won’t be allowed near you.”
“He’s my guardian.”
“We’ll see about that. It’s twice now I’ve seen him kiss you, and both times I’ve let it pass. Once we’re married that won’t happen. No one will touch you, or kiss you, or bed you except for me.”
Jared stiffened, afraid that Penn knew he’d slept with Jensen.
“Oh, so you haven’t noticed how he looks at you?” Penn asked. “Doesn’t surprise me. I can’t blame him, though. Plenty of eyes are attached to you, Jared. You’re such a pretty little thing. Well, not so little. The kind of innocence you radiate, it makes all sorts of men want to bend you over the nearest surface.”
“You’re disgusting,” Jared sneered. Though he was relieved that Penn still thought him a virgin. “Even after we marry there’s no way I’m letting you touch me.”
“You don’t have a choice. Once we take those vows, you’re mine to do with whatever I want. And trust me, love, I’ve got plenty of things in mind. You’re going to be sore and walking funny for weeks.”
Abhorred, Jared pulled away to congratulate his brother. He gave both him and Sandy hugs then slipped passed them and into the crowd, using them as an effective shield as he made his way out of the ballroom.
“I remember a little boy of seven,” a thoughtful voice said behind him, making Jared jump in surprise, “who used to wander the castle at all hours of the night looking for cookies.”
He turned with a sheepish smile. “I’m still very fond of your cookies, Missouri.”
The dark-skinned woman laughed. “Well come on then, child. I figured you’d leave the party, so I made some just for you.”
Jared trailed behind her to the kitchen, the two of them moving to the side counter in order to be out of the way of the other servants who were preparing and carrying out more food.
“Something’s bothering you,” the woman said, watching as Jared merely nibbled on a chocolate chip cookie. Usually he’d be stuffing them in his mouth like he’d never eat again, and spraying the crumbs across the counter like pellets with every word of praise.
“It’s nothing important.”
“Honey, don’t you make me get my spoon. Now out with it.”
Jared subconsciously rubbed the back of his head, remembering all those times when Missouri had given into her threat. He hated that damn wooden piece of weaponry. “It’s just… something that Jensen said.”
“Was he mean to you?” Missouri puffed herself up like a ruffled mother hen ready to defend her chicks.
“No, no. Not at all,” Jared quickly assured her. He didn’t want Missouri chasing Jensen around with that evil spoon, either. “He said something about knowing what my family was capable of. It’s been bothering me for days, because he said it so coldly. But he wouldn’t explain!”
Jared expected Missouri to share his confusion, but to his surprise instead of looking unsure she frowned at him sadly. Jared knew then without a doubt that he was missing something vital. Something that he had a right to know.
“What is it?”
“I don’t think I should be the one telling you this..”
“Missouri, please! Whatever it is, just tell me. I can take it.”
She sighed and sat beside him, her hand resting on his wrist that was lying on the table. Missouri looked into his eyes and took a deep breath. “Jared, do you remember your Granddaddy?”
Jared nodded. His grandfather’s name had been Jonathan Padalecki, and Jared remembered him as being a strong, tall man with black hair and thick whiskers on his face. He had a deep, commanding voice but kind blue eyes.
Jonathan had been the king before Gerald, and even though he had died when Jared was nine stories still passed through the kingdom of how fair and noble a leader he had been. Everyone was welcome to speak to Jonathan for things they needed, and never would he turn them down if he didn’t have to. Even as busy as he was, he’d always had time for his family and would spend hours captivating Jared and his siblings with wonderful stories.
It was because of him that Jared had found a love for reading. He remembered wanting to be just like Jonathan when he grew up. The man had been a hero to him.
“I remember. Why?”
Missouri gave Jared’s wrist a squeeze, the frown still on her face. “There’s something you don’t know, baby. Your granddaddy had been the best. Just like his daddy before him. The whole family was so good at it; had done it for generations and it runs in your blood too. Even your own daddy was a part of it, when he was younger.”
“What do you mean? What were they?”
“Dragon slayers.”
Chapter 6